Secure and Resilient

Infrastructure to create a secure and resilient city

The Christchurch earthquake, and other tragedies around the world, reminds us of how important it is for our city to be secure and resilient. The infrastructure that contributes to our ability to withstand unexpected shocks largely goes unnoticed – until it stops working. We need to plan for investment in the infrastructure we need to protect our security and future resilience as a city.

Local and regional government facilitate decisions around the type of energy infrastructure and waste management systems the city should have, as well as how to manage the city’s forests, parks and open spaces in ways that support environmental aims. Having a good understanding on the urban and natural environment, now and in the future, will support smart infrastructure decisions that are resilient and adaptive.

City infrastructure and land use patterns will be adapted to ensure they can withstand potential future threats including rising sea levels, storms, earthquakes and tsunami. We will need to be able to manage water prudently, to ensure security of supply and to minimise wasteful consumption. We need a good understanding of the infrastructure needed to make our transport routes resilient.

Smart infrastructure will be part of future infrastructure investments. Smart infrastructure will include the use of ICT to better manage complex systems ranging from traffic patterns to the electric grid. It also includes the integration of wireless sensors, which can collect and transmit information from almost any object, including utility lines, water pipes, roads, and buildings – to monitor and ‘optimise’ the kinds of complex systems resulting in reduced energy use, emissions and waste.